A20217:711
The ruin of RomeThe ruine of Rome
The ruin of Rome: or An exposition upon the whole Revelation Wherein is plainly showed and proved, that the popish religion, together with all the power and authority of Rome, shall ebb and decay still more and more throughout all the churches of Europe, and come to an utter overthrow even in this life before the end of the world. Written especially for the comfort of Protestants, and the daunting of papists, seminary priests, Jesuits, and all that cursed rabble. Published by Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobery in Essex.The ruine of Rome: or An exposition vpon the whole Reuelation Wherein is plainly shewed and proued, that the popish religion, together with all the power and authoritie of Rome, shall ebbe and decay still more and more throughout all the churches of Europe, and come to an vtter ouerthrow euen in this life before the end of the world. Written especially for the comfort of Protestants, and the daunting of papists, seminary priests, Iesuites, and all that cursed rabble. Published by Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobery in Essex.
London: printed by T. Creede for Simon Waterson and Cuthbert Burby, 1603London: printed by T. Creede for Simon Waterson and Cutbert Burby, 1603
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
First, here Rome is described, as she was in the height and top of her pride and security, when she held the dominion of the kings of the earth, and boasted that she was the head of the Catholic Church, carrying her self very insolently above all kings and Emperors, treading upon their necks, and making them attend at her gates barefoot in the middest of winter, as the stories report. Yea, and that she was no widow; that is, no solitary or desolate person, but one that had many lovers, which were strong to defend her, so as she should feel no want, nor see any sorrow. But the time will come, and draweth on apace, wherein she shall be throughly punished for her haughtiness, and intolerable pride & security. For the holy Ghost saith, her plagues shall come at one day, that is, suddenly, shortly and speedily, even death, sorrow and famine, and she shall […] burnt with fire. For that God which condemneth her, •• a strong Lord.
First, here Rome is described, as shee was in the height and toppe of her pride and securitie, when shee held the dominion of the kings of the earth, and boasted that shee was the head of the Catholike Church, carying her selfe very insolently aboue all kings and Emperours, treading vppon their neckes, and making them attend at her gates barefoote in the middest of winter, as the stories report. Yea, and that shee was no widow; that is, no solitarie or desolate person, but one that had manie louers, which were strong to defende her, so as shee should feele no want, nor see any sorowe. But the time will come, and draweth on apace, wherein shee shal be throughly punished for her haughtinesse, and intolerable pride & security. For the holy Ghost saith, her plagues shal come at one day, that is, sodainly, shortly and speedily, euen death, sorow and famine, and she shall 〈…〉 burnt with fire. For that God which condemneth her, •• a strong Lord.
If this be not plain enough to prove an utter overthrow of Rome, I know not what can be plain enough. For if death, famine, and fire will not pull her down, I know not what shall pull her down. But Saint John saith flatly, that God himself who